How to Recognize Signs of Oral Cancer

Successful treatment of oral cancer depends on early detection. These guidelines follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association.

Instructions

• 1

  Be alert to sudden difficulty chewing or swallowing food.

• 2

  Note any stiffness in your tongue or jaw.

• 3

  Look for swellings or lumps in your mouth or throat, or on your lips or tongue.

• 4

  Check your mouth and lips for scaly white patches.

• 5

  Be alert to any repeated, unjustified bleeding in your mouth or any numbness or pain in your mouth or throat.

• 6

  Note red sores on your lips or gums or in your mouth. Sores that bleed easily and do not heal after several weeks could be a sign of cancer.